Put Your Baby First by Getting Prenatal Care
Begin prenatal care early. This gets your baby off to the best possible start. It is important to continue to see your prenatal provider throughout your pregnancy so he or she can check the health of both you and your baby.
For a list of providers in your area, and for information on other related pregnancy services, contact the Indiana Family HelpLine at 800.433.0746 (answered Monday through Friday, 7:30 am to 5 pm; answering machine available at all other times).
When choosing your provider, ask yourself where you would like to deliver. Based on present and past pregnancies, what are your current health needs? For example, if you have a history of preterm delivery, a hospital with a high risk OB unit and nursery might be more appropriate. If you are healthy and experiencing no problems, then a low risk provider and hospital could be your choice.
The majority of health care providers attend births in the hospital setting, although alternative settings, such as birthing centers, may also be available in your area.
Types of Providers
The Indiana Perinatal Network believes that you should be able to choose the person(s) who provide your prenatal care. Many different types of professionals provide complete prenatal care. These include: obstetricians fetal medicine specialists, family practice physicians and certified nurse-midwives (CNW). Other providers such as nurse practitioners may provide care during pregnancy, but do not attend births.
- Obstetrician Gynecologist (Ob-Gyn)
The Obstetrician Gynecologist (ob-gyn) is trained in the health care of a woman throughout her lifetime. Care provided by the ob-gyn includes prevention of diseases, care during pregnancy and childbirth, and medical and surgical management of reproductive-related problems. Ob-gyns may serve as your primary provider or may provide expert advice to your family practice physician or certified nurse-midwife in the case of problems or questions. - Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist (MFM)
A Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist (MFM) or Perinatologist is an obstetrician doctor who has additional special training that allows him/her to provide care or consultation for both mother and her unborn baby in a difficult pregnancy. Not all difficult pregnancies need to be cared for by a Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist, but they offer expert advice and may help manage your pregnancy both before you become pregnant (preconception counseling) and during your pregnancy. The relationship between the prenatal provider and the MFM will depend on how severe the condition is and the type of care available in your community. - Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)
The Certified Nurse-Midwife is a registered nurse who has additional training in the health care of women. This training focuses mainly on pregnancy-related care and the reproductive-related needs of the woman, and can include the primary health care of women. CNMs provide care to basically healthy women and must work in collaboration with a physician, or group of physicians. The CNM consults as needed with the family physician, the ob-gyn, or the maternal fetal medicine specialist.
Note: Good prenatal care includes not only medical care but also counseling and education. During your pregnancy you may also see nurses, prenatal care coordinators, nutritionists, breastfeeding consultants, social workers or other medical specialists (for example, a cardiologists, etc.).
Types of Hospital Services and Levels of Care
Helpful Links to Providers and Pregnancy Information
- The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), Indiana Section: The nation's leading group of professionals providing health care for women. Website includes search feature to find obstetricians and gynecologists in your area.
- American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP): The American Academy of Family Physicians is the national association of family doctors.
- American Academy of Pediatrics: Dedicates its efforts and resources to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.
- Indiana Hospital & Health Association: The professional trade association for 166 Hoosier hospitals and health systems. The website features an on-line directory of Indiana hospitals.
